Most Americans, including many vegetarians, still consume
large amounts of dairy products. Here are ten reasons why it is a good idea
to eliminate dairy products from one's menu.

One: Fat and Cholesterol

Dairy products contribute cholesterol and fat to one's diet. Cheese and ice
cream are loaded with fat and cholesterol.1 Studies comparing the cardiovascular
status of ovo-lacto-vegetarians and vegans have proven that while both are
healthier than meat-eaters, vegans have better cardiovascular status than
vegetarians who consume dairy products.2,3 Skim dairy products are considerably
lower in fat; however, they retain the problems noted below.

Two: Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is more likely on a dairy-rich diet. Cows' milk products
are very low in iron,1 thus, if they become a major part of one's diet, iron
deficiency is more likely. In addition, clinical studies have shown that
infants consuming cows' milk lose small amounts of blood from their digestive
tracts.

Three: Diabetes

Insulin-dependent diabetes (Type I or childhood-onset) is linked to dairy
products. Epidemiological studies of various countries show a strong correlation
between the use of dairy products and the incidence of insulin- dependent
diabetes.4 This is only an association, but researchers have long suspected
that an autoimmune reaction is the cause of this disease. Some speculate
that dairy protein may spark the reaction.

Four: Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is linked to dairy products. The milk sugar lactose is broken
down in the body into another sugar, galactose. In turn, galactose is broken
down further by enzymes. According to a study by Dr. Daniel Cramer and his
colleagues at Harvard,5 when dairy product consumption exceeds the enzymes'
capacity to break down galactose, there is a build-up of galactose in the
blood, which may affect a woman's ovaries. Some women have particularly low
levels of these enzymes, and when they consume dairy products on a regular
basis, their risk of ovarian cancer can be triple that of other women. The
problem is the milk sugar, not the milk fat, thus non-fat dairy products
cannot solve this problem. In fact, yoghurt and cottage cheese seem to be
of most concern because the bacteria used in their manufacture increase the
production of galactose from lactose.

Five: Cataracts

Cataracts are also linked to dairy products.6 The galactose that is a breakdown
product of lactose also appears to damage the lens of the eye, leading to
cataracts. There are other factors which also contribute to cataracts, such
as ultraviolet light.

Six: Lactose Intolerance

Many people, particularly Asians and Africans, are unable to digest the milk
sugar, lactose. Diarrhea and gas can result. On the other hand, they may
be the lucky ones. Many Caucasians can tolerate lactose, only to be unable
to rapidly breakdown the galactose which circulates in their blood, possibly
contributing to cataracts and ovarian cancer, as noted above. Lactose intolerance
may be nature's early warning system.

Seven: Food Allergies

Milk is one of the most common food allergies. Respiratory problems, canker
sores, skin conditions, and other subtle and not-so-subtle allergies can
be caused by dairy products. The sad thing is that many people never know
that they have a dairy sensitivity; they think that their problems are "normal."
If they give themselves a break from dairy products, they might get a very
pleasant surprise. Asthmatics, in particular, should give themselves a long
vacation from dairy products to see whether their condition improves.

Eight: Toxins

Like other products from animals, breast secretions contain frequent
contaminants, from pesticides to drugs. About a third of all milk products
are contaminated with antibiotic traces. The dairy industry slogan "something
for every body" takes on a different meaning doesn't it?

Nine: Osteoporosis

Dairy products, despite common myths, do not stop osteoporosis. Evidence
shows that the rate of bone loss is largely unaffected by dairy products.7
Numerous studies have shown that the countries with the highest intake of
dairy products also have the highest incidence of osteoporosis, and that
consuming large amounts of diary products simply will not maintain bone density.

Ten: Colic

One out of every five babies suffers from colic. Pediatricians learned long
ago that cows' milk was often the reason. We now know that breast- feeding
mothers can have colicky babies if the mothers are consuming cow's milk.
The cows' antibodies can pass through the mother's blood stream into her
breast milk and to the baby.8